IT WOULD be an understatement [...]

AUTHOR(S)

DAN PARKS

PUB. DATE

March 2013

SOURCE

Daily Mail;3/29/2013, p53

SOURCE TYPE

Newspaper

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

IT WOULD be an understatement to say that Paul O'Connell's presence had a galvanising effect on Munster last weekend. In fact, it felt a bit like we were up against 16 players because O'Connell (below) gave them such a lift.

WHEN the tributes to the retiring Paul O'Connell finally stopped, an enormous problem remained. If O'Connell was the leader and legend of widespread repute â€” and he often was â€” then filling the space in an Irish team left by his departure would be Joe Schmidt's biggest problem.

PAUL O'CONNELL'S days of setting the tone on the pitch for Ireland may be over, but his presence around the camp will draw out the best of the leaders that will aim to ensure his World Cup ending injury was not in vain.